In electrodialysis for desalting of primarily treated waste solutions in plating and degreasing processes, the ion exchange membranes used may be fouled by the organic compounds contained in the solutions. The fouling of the ion exchange membranes was examined, therefore, by using a small test electrodialysis cell. Strong organic acids (M. W. more than ca. 300) and strong organic bases (M. W. more than ca. 350) significantly fouled the anion and cation exchange membranes, respectively. The membranes, however, were little fouled by weak acidic, basic or neutral organic compounds. The extent of fouling depended on the concentration of the organic compounds.